Aberdeen's Gilbert: The unintended consequences of the 'Big Bang' 30 years on

The 'Big Bang' major reforms were implemented by prime minister Margaret Thatcher and Chancellor Nigel Lawson in the 1980s. They saw the removal of fixed-commission charges and the requirement that the roles of broker and agent should be kept separate. They also led to the London Stock Exchange becoming a private listed company. Three decades on, however, Martin Gilbert, founder and CEO of Aberdeen Asset Management, has said the "unintended consequences" include encouraging short-termism among the investment community.   Gilbert explained: "There have of course been unintended c...